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There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the game was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager continued for 123 days in the early part of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a corner at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma in front. A Roma team minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge despite decent performances in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised instantly. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective striker but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half possession from that point. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this fixture ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.